Coffin-fastener



B. BUDDINGTONX `J.` R. BED-IBM, 1 j

GoPPINfAsT-B r.

NEB f Patented Mar. Y27, 1888.

PATENT OFFICE.

TRUMAN B. BUDDINCTCN ANDI. nussEnBEDIENT, for, BIRMINGHAM, CONNECTICUT.

vcol-#FIN-I-'ASTENER.-

SPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 380,242, dated March 27,1888.y

Application led January 9, 1888. Serial No. 260,213. (No model.)

ham, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Olasps for Casket-Boxes; and-we do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawingseconstitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure l, a perspective view of the clasp as applied, full size; Fig. 2, a vertical central section in part of the same; Fig. 3, a perspective view of the casket-box with clasps applied.

This inventionrelates to an improvement in clasps for fastening the covers to burialcasket boxes, the object being to avoid the use of screws, which is the usual means of fastening the covers of casket-boxes and which are undesirable for many reasons, and to provide a fastening device' which will automatically engage the cover when it is placed onA the box; and the invention consists in the construction hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claim.

The catch, which is adapted to be secured to the side of the box at the upper edge, lconsists of a plate, A, constructed with a projecting bar or loop, a, and with two projections or lugs, b, below the said loop.

B is a T-shaped swinging latch hung between the lugs b, and so that when in the closed position, as in Fig. 2, its upper edge will stand close up to the lower edge of the loop a. The lower end of the latch is cam-shaped, and a spring, d, is arranged inside the cam end of the latch, and bearing thereon yieldingly holds the latch in either the open or closed position, as seen in Fig. 2. The corresponding part of the clasp is in the form of a strap, C, adapted to be secured to the top of the cover, and is constructed with a projection, D, which eX- tends downward at right angles corresponding to the edge of the cover and so as to bear thereon, and terminates in a hookshaped nose, e, the said nose' corresponding to the loop a, and so as to pass through but closely fitting it, and extends below the cross-bar of the latch B, so that in the closed position the said cross-bar will stand engaged with thev `shoulder of said hooked end, as seen in Fig. 2. The projection D is preferably venlarged at its lower end, forming a flange, f, which will rest on the upper surface of the loop a when the parts are engaged. Four or more of these catches are used on abox, as indicated in Fig. 3, the lparts being secured in their respective positions, as shown.

To secure the cover, it is-placed over the box, so that each hooked nose e will enter the corresponding loop a, and the yend of the nose being beveled will force the latch B outward until the shoulder of the hook has passed below the lower edge ofthe cross-bar of the latch,'when, under the action of the spring d, the latch will be closed above the shoulder of the hook and securely hold theparts in connection. When in'this closed position,'the liange f will rest on the top of the loop a, and because the top of the latch B is in bearing Contact with the loop a the entire upward strain comes upon the loop., the latch simply acting to hold the parts in engagement. To remove the cover, turn the latch downward,

as indicated in broken line, Fig. 2, and the automatically.

We claim- The herein-described clasp for casket-boxes, consisting of the plate A, adapted to be secured to the side of the box and constructed with the loop a, a spring-latch, B, pivoted to said plate, its upper end arranged to bear against the lower edge of the loop, and the strap C, adapted to be secured to the cover,

difficulty and the closing engagement made constructed with a projection, D, which terminates in a hooked nose, e, said hooked nose adapted to be engaged by said latch wheny the cover is-in position, substantially as described.

TRUMAN B. BUDDINGTON. J. RUSSEL BEDIENT.

Witnesses:

HENRY SEMERs, TIIos. J. OSULLIVAN. 

